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Study Marine Environmental Science at Otago

Jelly fish

Not offered in 2022.

Overview

Nationally and internationally, we face increasing challenges associated with human interaction with the marine environment, from rising sea levels, changing temperatures, increasing storm inundation, decreasing biodiversity and fish stocks, to increasing use of the coastal zone for aquaculture. Projecting and managing these changes requires an interdisciplinary approach where an understanding of the physical and biological systems operating in the marine environment is integrated with the complex human interest in the marine environment from conservation to indigenous interest to government (local, region and national) management approaches.

The Marine Environmental Science programme is a professional qualification that aims to bridge the gap between the science of the changing marine environment and the needs of those that work in and manage the marine environment. The programme has a strong focus on ensuring that graduates can critically assess scientific information and ensure that decision-making and advice is evidence-based. The course has a large field teaching component, ensuring that candidates experience a wide range of marine environments and management challenges. Students should expect to spend at least 4 weeks in the field plus a residential week at the Ōtākou Marae. Students will work on a wide range of research vessels and from remote field stations in Fiordland, Stewart Island and Samoa.

Programme requirements

Master of Applied Science (MAppSc) in Marine Environmental Science

Not offered in 2021

Papers

APPS 597 Supervised Independent Study plus approved papers, to make a total of 180 points. The following is what is normally required, although other appropriate papers may be considered for inclusion in the programme.

  • MARI 401  Advanced Methods in Marine Science
  • MARI 402  Advanced Applied Field Methods in Marine Environmental Science
  • MARI 403  Critical Thinking for Environmental Scientists
  • At least two of:
    AQFI 421  Advanced Aquaculture and Fisheries
    MARI 429  Coastal Marine Environment
    MARI 431  Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science
    MARI 451  Reading Marine Science  or  ECOL 411  Reading Ecology
    OCEN 450  Special Topic